10 Places to Take Adult Swimming Lessons
If you’ve never mastered the starfish float and finally want to learn to swim, or if you’re hoping to improve your endurance, there are pools all over the city with courses to help you meet those goals.
Swimming might not be everyone’s preferred activity, but it’s an essential skill to have. Before the summer arrives and the beach beckons, get more confident in the water at one of these venues that offers lessons just for grown-ups.
Talisman Centre
Dates: April 13 to June 22
Cost: From $102
The spring group swimming lesson at the Talisman Centre kicks off on April 13. The course begins by teaching students the basics when it comes to floating, kicking and gliding. Depending on students’ skill levels, the class will advance to teaching students different swim strokes, stroke techniques and fitness activities.
This is a popular venue for adult swimming lessons. This class is already full, but you can add yourself to the waitlist. If learning in a group seems a little too intimidating, the Talisman Centre also offers private lessons for adults. Students get undivided attention, specialized instruction and customized lessons. 10 private lessons cost Talisman Centre members $330 and non-members $385. Contact the Talisman Centre for details on availability.
Talisman Centre, 2225 Macleod Tr. S., 403-233-8393, talismancentre.com
Trico Centre
Dates: April 26 to June 21
Cost: From $129
Targeted for adults ages 16 and up, the Trico Centre offers classes for the absolute beginner and for swimmers who just want to improve their swim stroke. Perhaps best of all, you can relax after your lesson in the steam pool.
The beginner classes have already filled, although interested students can still add themselves to the waitlist. If you have some experience in the water and are interested in improving your swimming strokes and learning more about water safety, consider registering for the intermediate class. This also runs from April 26 to June 21. Trico Centre members pay $104 for eight lessons and nonmembers pay $129.
Trico Centre, 11150 Bonaventure Dr. S.E., 403-278-6542, tricocentre.ca
University of Calgary
Dates: May 2 to June 27, May 25 to June 20
Cost: $78.50
The University of Calgary offers a range of classes for adults. There are classes for people who’ve never swum a stroke in their life and there’s the Master Swim Club, which is for individuals who are comfortable swimming lengths and want to focus on fitness.
The Swim Basics 1 class focuses on teaching body position, floats and breathing techniques, while Swim Basics 2 is slightly more advanced in terms of stroke development and fitness. If you’re comfortable swimming multiple lengths of the pool already, choose the Adult Swim Strokes class or the Adult Swim Workout. Both of these focus on stroke refinement and fitness.
University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. N.W., 403-220-5110, ucalgary.ca/activeliving
SAIT
Dates: May 3 to June 21
Cost: $74
If you’re looking to get stronger in the pool, this might be just the place to take lessons. The pool is 35 metres in length, which is 10 metres longer than a regular pool (or 15 metres shorter than an Olympic pool). It’s also a saltwater pool, which is ideal for those swimmers who are sensitive to chlorine.
Learn the absolute basics in a course that has no prerequisites, learn backstroke in the Swim Basics 2 course, or work on your endurance, speed and technique in the Adult Swim Strokes course.
SAIT also offers private lessons that cost $147 for eight weeks of learning.
SAIT Polytechnic, 1301 16 Ave. N.W., 403-284-7248, sait.ca
Mount Royal University
Dates: May 5 to June 23, May 7 to June 25
Cost: From $60
MRU offers two adult swimming lessons: the Red Cross Swim Adult and Teen Basics and the Red Cross Swim Adult and Teen Strokes. The first course focuses on helping swimmers feel comfortable and safe in the water, teaching floatation and basic technique. The other course develops swimmers’ strokes and helps individuals swim faster.
Mount Royal University, 4825 Mount Royal Gate S.W., 403-440-6111, mtroyal.ca
Adult Swimming Lessons at the City pools
12 City swimming pools offer swimming lessons for grown-ups. Each of the courses offered at the City pools are the same, costing no more than $76.50 for 8 classes. They range from Learn to Swim 1, which is specifically for non-swimmers and teach breathing techniques and movement basics, to Learn to Swim 3, which focuses on stroke refinement.
Acadia Aquatic and Fitness Centre
What: Learn to Swim 1, Learn to Swim 2, Learn to Swim 3
Date: May 5 to May 28; June 2 to June 25.
Cost: $76.50
9009 Fairmount Dr. S.E., 403-268-2489
Beltline Aquatic and Fitness Centre
What: Learn to Swim 1 and 2
Date: May 5 to May 28; June 2 to June 25.
Cost: $76.50
221 12 Ave. S.W., 403-268-2489
Bob Bahan Aquatic and Fitness Centre
What: Learn to Swim 1, Learn to Swim 1-3
Dates: April 28 to May 21; July 4 to July 26
Cost: $76.50
4812 14 Ave. S.E., 403-268-2489
Foothills Aquatic Centre
What: Learn to Swim 1-3
Dates: April 27 to May 25
Cost: $76.50
2915 24 Ave. N.W., 403-268-2489
Renfrew Aquatic and Recreation Centre
What: Learn to Swim 1-2, Learn to Swim 2-3
Dates: April 28 to May 21; June 2 to June 25
Cost: $76.50
810 13 Ave. N.E., 403-268-2489